Chapter 121: An Exaggerated Request for Reinforcements

Zhang Desen and his team successfully retreated into the temporary base within the crater in an orderly fashion, completing the convergence of all units. Once regrouped, Zhang Desen immediately ordered a fortified defense. Nearly two thousand household guards took up their respective positions.

To ensure the defense was airtight, Zhang Desen organized the two thousand guards into eight teams of approximately 250 men each. Four teams were designated as reserves to provide support wherever the lines were strained, while the other four were assigned to defend the north, south, east, and west perimeters.

Following these deployments, the Galaxy Empire’s forces intensified their attacks. The guards of the Zhang and Liu estates, serving as the defensive force, responded with fierce counterattacks. A barrage of machine guns, rifles, Hanyang-made rifles, grenades, and satchel charges rained down on the advancing enemy. Soon, the exchange of fire between the two sides grew increasingly intense. Caught off guard by the unexpectedly fierce resistance from an enemy they thought was in a defeated retreat, the Galaxy Empire’s assault units suffered heavy casualties and pulled back. However, they did not retreat entirely, instead surrounding the crater base.

Zhang Desen and his team remained calm. The base was merely a temporary location; everyone had arrived via the "Crater" spacecraft, and if necessary, they could simply board the ship and depart. Although the mission to eliminate Dadu Kuer had been accomplished, Zhang Desen did not order an immediate departure. Having witnessed the capabilities of the Galaxy Empire’s electromagnetic railguns, he feared that launching the spacecraft would alert the enemy's radar, inviting a devastating railgun strike.

Zhang Desen was also determined to take this opportunity to destroy the mysterious artifacts transported by the Gomar people to the human Ganduo tribe, as they posed a grave future threat. After repelling the first wave of attacks, while the enemy was attempting to encircle the base and prepare for a second assault, Zhang Desen left Zhou Yongli in charge of organizing the defense and convened a meeting with Li Longfang, Zhao Chengming, and others.

As the meeting began, Zhao Chengming asked, "Captain, since we have already successfully killed Dadu Kuer, why are we still staying here?"

Zhang Desen smiled and replied, "I want to coordinate our withdrawal with that of the Olmec Empire of the Dinosaurians, so the Galaxy Empire assumes we are another unit of theirs. Our strength is currently limited; if we attract the enemy's full attention now, our assassination of Dadu Kuer will lose its strategic significance. We must wait for the Olmec Empire to retreat and launch alongside them to better confuse the enemy."

He continued solemnly, "The enemy’s electromagnetic railguns pose a threat to us as well. I learned from the information gathered from the Olmec satellite that they are attempting to destroy the Galaxy Empire’s railguns to facilitate their own retreat. If they fail, we must assist them."

The others were surprised. Li Longfang asked, "Help the Dinosaurian Olmec Empire? Is that necessary? And how would we even do that?"

Zhang Desen smiled mysteriously, withholding a direct answer, and instead began assigning tasks for everyone to execute.

Meanwhile, outside the crater base, the commander of the Galaxy Empire’s assault forces was also changing tactics. His first step was to call for reinforcements. He contacted Jilong Kongde: "Commander, this is Gory Dende, captain of the First Vanguard of the Assault Army."

Jilong Kongde replied, "Mr. Dende, is the attack proceeding smoothly?"

Dende reported, "Everything is going well, Commander. I have successfully surrounded the enemy—the remnants who escaped from Bulunai along with their support units, totaling about two thousand—in a crater-like depression on the moon."

Jilong Kongde paused, asking, "Are you certain? The Olmec Empire’s total population is only about 800,000; it is difficult for them to field elite troops. How could there be so many support units? You are likely exaggerating."

Gory Dende insisted, "It is true, Commander. Although the weapons of the surrounded troops seem disorganized, most of them are human soldiers controlled by Yuri Gotne. They have become a significant force and seem quite loyal to him."

Upon hearing this, Jilong Kongde thought of Counselor Qian and remarked, "Human soldiers? That must be related to Counselor Qian of the Great Xing Kingdom. That fool Yuri Gotne! Is he not worried that if our technology isn't used to arm our own kin but is instead handed over to humans, they might eventually master it and create massive uncertainty for our future? He is truly muddled."

Gory Dende requested, "Therefore, I ask for more reinforcements. Please send me three tanks and, if possible, three combat aircraft so I can wipe out the enemy in one blow."

Jilong Kongde replied, "I can apply to the rear to send you 300,000 troops from the uncounted reserve divisions. As for the tanks, you know the Galaxy Empire is newly established; we don't have many, and they are prioritized for the general offensives in Uliastai and Ulangom. I will try to scrape some together, but for the air support, you will have to rely on your luck."

"Thank you, sir," Gory Dende said. "I will annihilate the enemy and ensure not one of them escapes."

After the call, a staff officer asked Gory Dende, "Why exaggerate? The enemy force is nowhere near that large."

Gory Dende replied, "If I hadn't said that, the superiors would have ordered me to solve the problem with the troops I already have, without sending any reinforcements."

Meanwhile, in the Uliastai region, Gase Ouli of the Olmec Empire personally piloted a space combat aircraft, escorted by two fighters, flying at an ultra-low altitude toward the Arag Mountains. Zhang Desen’s team intercepted this information via the Olmec network and realized the Olmecs were moving, prompting them to accelerate their own retreat preparations.

Zhang Desen asked, "Did our 'Crater' bring any nuclear weapons left behind by the ancient super-humans?"

Zhao Chengming replied, "We brought eight in total. Two are air-dropped nuclear bombs, and the rest are nuclear missiles. Among the missiles, two are 'Nuclear Moles'—earth-penetrating nuclear warheads."

Zhang Desen nodded and said, "Install both 'Nuclear Moles' and three of the nuclear missiles onto my ship." (Zhang Desen had brought a life-pod spacecraft with him, which had previously visited the moon and engaged the Atlanteans; it was stored inside the "Crater.")

Zhou Yongli asked, "Captain, are you intending to..."

Zhang Desen replied, "Exactly. I plan to participate in the attack on the Galaxy Empire’s electromagnetic railgun base in the Arag Mountains. I am also keeping a close eye on the Ulangom region."

Li Longfang offered, "Should I go instead?"

Zhang Desen declined, "No, you remain as the tail gunner. Besides, the Olmec Empire’s operation might not fail; I am merely preparing for the worst."

The team complied with the orders. Outside, the Galaxy Empire’s forces launched another offensive, and Zhang Desen’s team stepped out of the "Crater" to observe the battlefield. As they emerged, they noticed a small dark cloud in the northern sky.

Zhou Yongli remarked, "Captain, I don't think we need to worry. The cloud appeared suddenly, but it definitely won't bring rain."

The others agreed. Zhang Desen added, "I agree. However, this serves as a reminder that we must manufacture waterproof weapons as soon as possible. Otherwise, if it rains, most of our firepower—except for the special forces' gear and the ship’s mounted weapons—will be unusable."

Zhao Chengming reassured him, "Don't worry, Captain. Most of the weapons left by the ancient super-humans have waterproof features, and we brought plenty as spares. Regardless, we can handle this battle. Furthermore, we have built bunkers to keep the weapons dry."

Zhang Desen nodded, "Very well. Everyone, back to your stations."

"Yes, sir!"

As the team returned to their duties, the Dinosaurian onslaught outside the crater base intensified.

In the command center of the Galaxy Empire’s capital, Basin City, a guard reported to Goba Xiaofu and Moer Rose: "Report! Our radar units indicate that the enemy has launched a large number of long-range missiles toward our front-line headquarters. Additionally, they have deployed three combat ships approaching our railgun base in the Arag Mountains. It is highly likely they intend to destroy it."

Goba Xiaofu turned to Moer Rose, "The enemy seems to be making a desperate gamble. What do you think we should do?"

Moer Rose replied, "Let Kade Hole handle it. Intercepting enemy aircraft is the task of the air defense forces. As for the missile attack, I believe Jilong Kongde is fully capable of handling it. Leave it to him."

Goba Xiaofu nodded, "Very well, go and issue the orders."

"Yes, sir!"

Moer Rose and the guard exited the command center to relay the orders.